News

Worcestershire flood barrier company to host reception at Westminster

A WORCESTERSHIRE flood barrier company that was set up in the wake of flooding and is now leading the way for Britain, will be showcasing its innovative designs and defences in Westminster.

UK Flood Barriers, based in Droitwich Spa, builds both defences and designs resilient infrastructures for Britain and other places across the world prone to flooding that's brought on by the changing climate.

The company is inviting an audience of parliamentarians, consulting engineers, contractors, and representatives from the construction, transport infrastructure and utilities sectors to attend its reception sponsored by mid-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff on Tuesday, March 11.

Frank Kelly, company CEO, said the company has seen the devastation of flood water and was set up to help those who needed help.

He said: "With large swathes of the country suffering the worst flooding in decades, engineering technology for flood mitigation in the built environment has made significant progress in recent years. This event will showcase Britain’s capability to design world class flood resilient infrastructure and see the UK establish itself as an innovation powerhouse in the global flood defence sector.

“Being based in Worcestershire, we have witnessed at first hand the misery that flooding causes which prompted the set up of the company with the express aim of creating a comprehensive and cohesive range of products. We are committed to investing in solutions not only to help protect the people in the area we all know and love, but also to do something on a national and now global scale to help those blighted by flooding.”

There will be other speakers at the event as well as Mr Kelly, including Mark Lane, chairman of British Water and of the UKTI Environment and Water Sector Advisory Group, and Simon Purcell, senior technical director of WSP Group - a firm that provides design, environmental and management services to the built and natural environment.

it was important flooding technology kept with the changes in the climate

He said: “As world climate systems change, it is important for technology to keep pace. UK Flood Barriers are leading the way and, what’s more, they’re doing it from Worcestershire which can only help to raise the profile of the county – a cause close to our hearts here at Worcestershire LEP.”